Golden West College Foundation

Golden West College provides culturally affirming educational opportunities for our students and community to achieve upward mobility. Our academic excellence, exceptional student services, and community partnerships empower students to achieve personal and academic goals and contribute toward an inclusive and equitable society.

Golden West College has been a premier Southern California community college since 1966. It is recognized statewide for its transfer success rate of more than 90% to universities such as CSU Long Beach and UC Irvine; its career programs such as nursing, police officer training, and automotive technician; the 20+ Associate Degrees for Transfer in areas such as business, psychology, social justice, computer science, and economics: its non-credit programs in English Language Learning, computer skills and senior healthcare; and its champion sports teams – most notably seven straight State Championships in men’s water polo. Our employees and students represent various nationalities, races, religions, gender identities, and abilities - and we celebrate and recognize them all.
Most important, GWC helps ensure that “Your Future is Golden.” No matter which academic pathway you choose, counselors will guide you throughout your college career, tutors will help you succeed, and various departments in Student Services will provide financial aid, food, transportation, computers and other basic needs. We all work together on this beautiful campus to make sure you complete your goals here and move on to careers or further education.

Accomplishments: Awarded more than 460 scholarships totaling more than $350,000. 60% of the courses at GWC have $0 textbook costs. The Basic Needs Center provided $292,035 in Emergency and Basic Needs Grants to 344 students. In addition, The Stand, Golden West College’s food pantry’s provided groceries at no charge to more than 1,700 students this past year.
Goals for Next Year: Grow the Basic Needs Emergency Fund so we can help more students when they face adversity with housing, transportation and life's basic needs. Also, a goal to reach 100% zero textbook cost for students.

The largest need currently, is building up the Basic Needs Emergency grant fund. 1 in 9 students identified as being unhoused at least 1 day last year, 40% of students say they cannot afford food and 60% struggle with rent. At Golden West College we want to help students stay in school so they can change their lives for the future. We work with students through case management services help to address student needs for housing, clothing, hygiene items, and food.